Autumn Term Session 1 - Weald Trust 2020 - Bible Buds
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Autumn Term Session 1 © Weald Trust 2020
Contents Page:
Theme Intro for Team 3
Session Theme and Conversation Starters 4
Craft Ideas 5
Play Ideas 8
Snack Time Ideas 11
Bible Buds Story Script 12
Bible Buds Blessing and Goodbye 17
NHS Milestones and Early Learning Goals 18
Post-Session Testimonies 20
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Bringing God-Friendships into blossom as we share and declare His love
Session 1
Theme Introduction: Sessions 1-6
Welcome to the very first Bible Buds session! We’re about to embark on a new adventure,
journeying through the Bible and watching friendships with God blossom. At the start of each
half-term, grab a cuppa and take a moment to look over the stories you’re about to share with
babies, toddlers, parents and carers in your group. Knowing the background helps us communicate
Bible stories and grasp the wonder of God’s Word for ourselves. But most importantly, be
refreshed and get excited as you remember God’s love story for you and your group.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, we’re starting at the beginning of the Bible, in the book of Genesis. Did
you know that the word genesis comes from the Greek word ‘geneseos’, meaning ‘birth’? The
book of Genesis (which Moses wrote between 1446-1406 BC) starts with the birth of the
universe at the very beginning of time.
It’s amazing how the God of the universe made so many incredible creations and saved His best
until last… us humans! He welcomed Adam and Eve into friendship with Him, and welcomes each
of us into friendship too. Mind-blowing! (Session 1)
It must have felt devastating then, when humans chose to sin and forget all about His loving
friendship. And yet, God didn’t forget humans, He was faithful. He still wanted to bless us and
protect the world He had created for us. And so, 9 generations later, in Genesis 6-9, He brought
hope and a fresh start through a 600-year-old Noah, his family, every kind of animal… and a
whole lot of water! (Session 2)
God blessed Noah, but soon, just like Adam and Eve, Noah chose to sin. God kept giving humans a
chance and was determined to bless us and bring us back into friendship with Him. Isn’t that
incredible? In Genesis 15, 18 and 21, God did this through Abraham and his children,
grandchildren, great-grandchildren… and so on (Session 3). The pattern continues – Abraham’s
family, Israel, kept sinning and God kept rescuing and reminding them of His blessing. He even
reminded Jacob through a dream, in Genesis 28, where he saw angels on a stairway from Earth
to Heaven (Session 4).
God really is all about family! The overarching themes in Genesis communicate this time and
time again. God also shows this through little details in Genesis, like in chapters 32-33 when
God tells Jacob to go back to his homeland and make peace with his brother, Esau (Session 5).
And again, in the story of Joseph, in Genesis 37-41, where despite all the evil Joseph was faced
with, God showed His power and gave Joseph all he needed to make peace with his brothers
(Session 6). In fact, Joseph’s words in Genesis 50:20 summarise the whole book of Genesis:
“’You [Joseph’s brothers] intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to
accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.’” (Emphasis added.)
Our God is faithful, even when we sin. Our God is determined to rescue us. Our God pours out
blessing upon us. Isn’t God awesome? As you plan and implement each session this half-term,
spend a moment praying and remembering that God is faithful to you and the families in your
group. God is determined to rescue you and each family. And God will pour out His blessing upon
you and each child and adult. Be bold and go for it!
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Bringing God-Friendships into blossom as we share and declare His love
Session 1
Session Theme: Let’s Say Hello
Faith Theme: God’s Creation (Genesis 1-2)
• God created the world and welcomed into it the first humans, Adam and Eve.
• God spent time with Adam and Eve in His special garden, because He created us to be
friends with Him.
• Thank you, God for creating us and welcoming us.
Secular Theme: The start of Term (September)
• Explore how we can say hello after the summer break, welcoming old and new friends.
• Enjoy greeting each other, spending time together and getting to know each other.
“ Conversation Starters:
• Testimony: Team could share a testimony of how God welcomed them to be His friend
and how this felt. Perhaps the Church family welcomed them too? Or perhaps team
members have examples of when they’ve spent time with God and have enjoyed His
company where otherwise they might have felt lonely.
• Questions: As there might be new attendees at the beginning of term, spend time
getting to know each other e.g. What’s your name? Where do you live? What do you
normally get up to each week? You could even have a few ‘ice breaker’ questions to help
get to know each other and create conversations e.g. If you were God and could create
anything, what would it be? If you could put any adjective in front of your name to
describe you, what would it be and why? What’s the most interesting fact about you?
• Chat: For those parents/carers and children who are regulars, encourage them to spend
time catching up with each other as well as any new attendees, asking each other what
they’ve done over the summer holidays.
• Activity: There are lots of practical ways you can make new attendees feel welcome at
your group. Encourage team to be super welcoming – first impressions count! You could
also ask everyone to wear name labels, to help you all learn each other’s names. You may
already take contact details in an official capacity, but you could also encourage team who
are parents/carers to keep in touch with new families in an informal way too e.g. on social
media. You might not want to seem too pushy, but a lot of people need someone else to
make the first move and are too shy to be proactive! If in doubt, why not ask new
”
attendees if there is anything else that would help them feel welcome?! Basically,
welcome the socks off your group!
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Bringing God-Friendships into blossom as we share and declare His love
Session 1
Craft Ideas:
1. A Warm Welcome
You will need: Lining paper, different coloured paint, paint pots,
pots of water, paintbrushes, paint rollers, paint scrapers, glitter
1. Make your very own group welcome banner!
2. On a large sheet of paper write the word ‘Welcome’. If you have different nationalities
represented, encourage parents/carers to write down ‘welcome’ in their language.
3. Then let children get their creative juices flowing, and go crazy decorating the banner
with paint! Children could use paintbrushes, rollers, scrapers and even add glitter to
create exciting patterns!
4. Children could also paint a picture of themselves on the banner to welcome new friends
(and parents/carers could write their name underneath).
5. Once the banner is dry, hang it up so that everyone feels welcome next time they come!
Craft Chats:
• Say hello to each other and say what each other’s names are.
• Chat about how good it is to welcome each other. Chat about how we can do
that e.g. wave hello, smile, hug, talk to each other, play together etc.
• As children paint pictures of themselves, they could chat about their features
and how they have all been created differently.
• Explain that God created us all, and welcomes us to be friends with Him, which
we’ll find out more about in the Bible Buds story later.
Babies:
1. Parents/carers can help their baby decorate the banner.
2. Instead of painting a picture of themselves, babies could do a handprint (or
parents/carers/older sibling could paint a picture of them).
3. Team and parents/carers could take the opportunity to give their baby a great big,
welcoming hug and tell them that they are a beautiful creation!
Hiya Daddy God! Thank you for our toddler group. Please help us to be welcoming. Amen!
NB: If you have a large group, you could make individual banners rather than one big banner.
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Bringing God-Friendships into blossom as we share and declare His love
Session 12. The World’s Biggest Welcome!
You will need: Large sheet of paper/paper plates,
world template [BB prop], coloured jumbo paint pads, glue,
green and blue collage material e.g. bottle lids,
tissue paper, scrap fabric, pompoms etc.
1. Prior to the session, draw out a rough template of the world on a
large sheet of paper, leaving space around the outside.
2. Encourage children to create the land and water on Earth by filling in the blank spaces
with green and blue collage materials (parents/carers and team can show children where
the land and sea should be, or let children decide, and embrace the abstract approach!).
3. As well as making the inside of the world, children can make handprints to go around the
outside of the world. If possible, do enough prints to go around the whole world.
4. Once dry, put the painting up on display, and enjoy looking at the world’s biggest welcome!
NB: For an individual craft, each child could use a paper plate to paint the world, cut out
handprints and stick at the bottom to look like God’s hands creating the world.
Craft Chats:
• Chat about our world, how big it is, how beautiful it is, and how there are billions
of different people living in it, with many different ways to say ‘hello’.
• As children make the handprints, explain that God created the world and
everyone in it – including each of us!
• Chat about how we can say hello, be friendly and welcome everyone to our group,
just like God welcomes us, which we’ll find out about in the Bible Buds story.
Babies:
1. Under adult supervision, babies could reach out for different (age appropriate) collage
materials and have help sticking them onto the world.
2. Parents/carers could also help babies do a handprint, if their baby is willing!
3. Parents/carers could sing to their baby ‘He’s got the whole world in His hands’ by Obie
Philpot:
“He’s got the whole world in His hands (repeat x4)
He’s got every little baby in His hands (repeat x4)
He’s got all the mums and dads in His hands (repeat x4)
He’s got everybody here in His hands (repeat x4)”
Hiya Daddy God! Thank you for creating the world and each of us. Amen!
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Bringing God-Friendships into blossom as we share and declare His love
Session 13. A Welcome Wave
You will need: Paper plates, crayons, googly eyes/eye stickers,
coloured wool, coloured pipe cleaners, glue, sticky tape, strips of card,
mirrors, paper, scissors
1. Give children a paper plate to draw their face on with the resources mentioned above,
to create their very own hand puppet to wave around.
2. Show them their face in a mirror to help them recreate their features on the plate.
3. Once children have finished their design, parents/carers could write ‘Hello, my name is…’
along the bottom and then help children finish the sentence by writing their name.
4. Then attach two pipe cleaners to either side of the plate to make the arms.
5. If you have extra time, you could draw around children’s hands, cut them out and stick
them to the two pipe cleaners to make hands that wave!
6. Then, with a strip of card, make a handle on the back of the plate, for children to slip
their hand underneath.
7. Let children wave their hand puppets around, as they welcome others by shouting ‘hello,
my name is [name]!’
Craft Chats:
• Chat about children’s facial features. Explain how God created each of us special!
• Explain that God welcomes us to be His friend, and we can be welcoming to our
friends at toddler group too! Chat about how we can be welcoming.
• We’ll find out more about God’s welcome in our Bible Buds story later!
Babies:
1. Parents/carers can enjoy being welcoming towards their baby, smiling at them and
waving at them, encouraging their baby to smile and wave back.
2. Parents/carers could play peek-a-boo with their baby, and enjoy saying ‘hello’ or ‘welcome’!
Hiya Daddy God! Thank you for creating us and welcoming us. Help us to welcome others. Amen!
NB: All the craft chats work best when adults are engaging in the conversations, and may be
best suited for toddlers upwards. In addition, encourage your team to share examples (in a child-
friendly way) of when they’ve felt welcomed by others, and by God.
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Bringing God-Friendships into blossom as we share and declare His love
Session 1Play Ideas:
NB: Throughout this session, emphasise the theme of welcome and saying ‘hello’ by encouraging
children (and parents/carers) to buddy up with new children (and parents/carers). They can play
together, eat snacks together, sit together for the story etc.
1. Garden Greetings
You will need: Slide/hanging decorations/bubble machine, cuddly toy animals, balls, sun/moon/stars
pictures [BB prop], toy fruit, garden role-play props e.g. Watering cans, fake flowers, flower
pots, inflatable trees, sun loungers/garden chairs, lawn mower/garden spades/brooms etc.
1. Set up a role-play area full of garden features (using the props mentioned above) and let
children have fun playing together in your very own toddler group garden!
2. Remind children to welcome each other into the garden, greeting others by saying hello
and giving each other a hug or high five! You could even have a special entrance children
have to go through, to make the welcome even more special e.g. put a slide, hanging
decorations or a bubble machine at the entrance to the role-play garden.
3. Children could spend time together pretending to water the flowers; rest on sun loungers
as they look up at the sun, moon or stars shining in the ‘sky’; play ‘fetch’ with the toy
animals; look after the garden by mowing the grass, digging weeds, sweeping leaves etc.
NB: If you have access to a real garden, you could take this activity outside for children
to water real flowers, relax on sun loungers outside, and do some gardening together etc!
4. You could even link the role-play to this session’s Bible story e.g. children could eat toy
fruit together or play ‘hide and seek’ together!
5. Explain that today’s Bible story is all about a special garden God created with lots of
fruit, animals and a man and woman, because He wanted to welcome His creation into the
world and spend time with them!
Babies:
1. Let babies explore the different garden features. If they are sitting up now, they could
sit near some garden props and reach out for them. If they are crawling, they could
move to the props they want to explore (making sure props are age-appropriate).
2. Whilst babies explore, parents/carers could talk to them about what they are exploring,
so that babies learn the sound of their parents/carers voice, as well as any new words.
For example, if babies are looking at flowers, parents/carers could say ‘aren’t they lovely
flowers! Look – they are bright red and green!’
3. Parents/carers could sing ‘Twinkle, twinkle little star’ by Jane Taylor, with their baby, as
they look at the star shapes in the garden.
Hiya Daddy God! Thank you for creating gardens where you welcome us and want to spend time
with us. Please help us to welcome our new and old friends and spend time with them too. Amen!
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Bringing God-Friendships into blossom as we share and declare His love
Session 12. Creation Station!
You will need: Dark den/play tent/gazebo/trays/feely box, water, baby/toddler cups, torches,
ocean and/or animal sounds on a music device, mirrors, sand, sand-timers, rain-sticks, hanging star
mobiles/play gym, special lights e.g. disco ball, flashing spikey balls, glow in the dark lights/fairy
lights etc.
1. Set up a station full of creation story items for children to explore! Choose from:
• Sun, Moon and Stars: Torches, star mobiles, disco lights etc. to look at.
• Land: Sand to feel or sand-timers to look at.
• Water: Ocean sounds, rain-sticks to listen to and water to taste.
• Animals: Animal noises to listen to and cuddly toys to feel.
• Humans: Mirrors to look at ourselves in.
2. The creation station could be an area that children go inside e.g. a dark den, play tent or
gazebo. Or it could be a tray or feely box children get items out of and then explore.
3. Encourage children to be welcoming and say hello when more children come over to play.
4. Explain that God created our whole world and all these things in it, including us! We’ll find
out more about this in our Bible Buds story later.
Babies:
1. As well as the above ideas, let babies enjoy lying on a baby gym, or reaching up to hanging
star mobiles.
2. For young babies, parents/carers could hold out sensory items for their babies to enjoy
e.g. lights to see, rain-sticks to listen to, mirrors to look at.
3. Give babies a big, welcoming hug to show them what a special creation they are!
Hiya Daddy God! Thank you for all the wonderful things you’ve created, including us. Amen!
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Bringing God-Friendships into blossom as we share and declare His love
Session 13. Puppet Pals
You will need: A selection of hand puppets, puppet theatre
1. Have a selection of different puppets out for children to enjoy using.
2. Encourage children to go around the room with puppets, using them to welcome and
greet others, as well as developing their gross motor skills and hand/eye co-ordination
e.g. waving hello, saying hello, giving a handshake, giving a cuddle or even a high five!
3. Children could even use a puppet theatre to act out a welcoming scene or a story with
other puppets and puppeteers!
4. Explain that our Bible Buds story today is all about how God said hello to humans, and
loves spending time with us!
Babies:
1. Parents/carers could use puppets to welcome their baby, say hello, hug their baby etc.
2. They could play a game of peek-a-boo with their baby, hiding the puppet, then revealing
it and shouting ‘hello’!
Hiya Daddy God! Thank you for creating us and welcoming us. Please help us to say hello to
others too. Amen!
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Bringing God-Friendships into blossom as we share and declare His love
Session 1Snack Time Ideas:
Choose from: Sharing snacks, star-shaped biscuits/chocolates, breadcrumbs, water, sea-salt
crisps, salad leaves, carrot sticks, apples, animal-shaped sweets/chocolate biscuits, snake sweets,
jelly babies, teeth/lip sweets, gingerbread men, edible eyes/face stickers, heart-shaped
biscuits/sweets
• As this session’s theme is all about saying hello and welcoming each other, how about you
have some sharing snacks for children to pass round the group and practise being
welcoming to newcomers?
• Prepare one or two different snacks that introduce the creation story e.g.
1. Light: Star-shaped biscuits or chocolates
2. Land: Breadcrumbs for sand/earth
3. Sea: Cups of water, sea salt crisps
4. Plants, trees, fruit: Salad leaves, carrot sticks, apples (very topical!)
5. Animals: Animal-shaped sweets/chocolate biscuits (you could include snake sweets!)
6. Human creation: Jelly babies, teeth/lip sweets, gingerbread men
• For a fun alternative, you could buy edible eyes or face stickers to put on fruit and let
children have fun making their very own fruity creations!
• Last but not least, you could have some heart-shaped biscuits or sweets, to remind
children how God welcomes us and wants to be our friend, cos He loves us!
♫ Bible Buds Gathering Song:
NB: As children are finishing off other activities, play/sing the Bible Buds song each week to
remind children to come and sit down, ready for the Bible Buds story time.
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Bringing God-Friendships into blossom as we share and declare His love
Session 1Bible Buds Story Script: (15-20 mins Total)
You will need: Bible Buds story sack, toy buggies, Bible puppet, 2 Bible Buds puppets, ‘Bible
Buddies in their buggies’ song, Bible, clock, playdough, sun/moon/stars models/posters [BB prop],
bucket of sand, water pistol, cuddly animals, male/female dolls/figures, watering can, flowers
Pre-story Puppets: (5 mins)
1. Introduce our brand-new Bible Buds friend Bertie Badger.
2. [Bertie looks shy and hides behind puppeteer.]
3. Bertie Badger, why are you hiding?
4. [Bertie whispers to you.] Oh, I see, you’re feeling shy, because this is your first time at our
toddler group, and you don’t know anyone? Oh, don’t worry – we’re all very welcoming here!
Interaction for toddlers: Let’s all wave and say “Hello” to show how welcoming we are!
Interaction for babies: Parents/carers, can you help your baby wave hello?
5. [Bertie calms down.]
6. Welcome to our toddler group Bertie Badger!
7. [Bertie waves and then whispers to you.]
8. Bertie Badger says hello! Hey, Bertie, I’d like to introduce you to another new friend - it’s their
first time at our toddler group too.
9. [Puppeteer 2 comes to the front with Betsy Bear, who’s also acting very shy.]
10. Hey everyone – this is Betsy Bear! Bertie Badger, please can you welcome Betsy by saying hello
or waving at her?
11. [Bertie shakes his head and hides, which makes Betsy hide away too!]
12. Bertie Badger! Betsy Bear! Come out from behind there! [Neither puppet moves.]
13. Oh dear, Bertie didn’t say hello to Betsy, did he? And now they’re both feeling shy again!
14. Hmmm… I think you both need to get in your buggy and become Bible buddies in your buggies
because I know just the story from the Bible that will welcome you two buds into our group!
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Bringing God-Friendships into blossom as we share and declare His love
Session 1♫ Bible Buddies in their Buggies Song:
Interaction for toddlers: During the song children race around the story area with pretend
buggies (to get fidgets out) looking for Mr Bible. Or if you have access to toy buggies and
baby dolls, children could push these around the room during the song.
Interaction for babies: If they are in their buggy, parents/carers could push their baby
around the room!
NB: The song gets faster and faster until you can finally see the puppeteer coming out with Mr
Bible.
“Bible Buddies in their buggies racing all around
We are ready, oh so ready, heading Bible bound
1,2,3… Can you see? [Repeat x2 and finish with the final line below.]
Mr Bible, our Bible Bud, we’ve found!”
NB: During this time, you will need to put puppets into their buggy (a double buggy would work
well, but two single buggies would also work), and puppeteer pushes them around the room! At
the end of the song, the puppets need to be at the front again, ready for the story. If you’re
not using puppets, you will need to get out the Bible Buds story sack and put at the front on
display for all to see.
Mr Bible:
1. Introduce Mr Bible and explain that the Bible is the most special and precious book in the whole
wide world with loads of stories to help us have the best life ever!
2. Mr Bible/Puppeteer says: “Welcome each other, just like God has welcomed you.” (Paraphrased
from Romans 15:7, CEB translation)
NB: If you have extra time, you could learn the sign language for this and repeat the verse a
couple of times.
3. Explain how the verse links to our theme today and reminds you of a story from Mr Bible.
4. Say goodbye to Mr Bible!
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Bringing God-Friendships into blossom as we share and declare His love
Session 1Bible Story: (5-10 mins)
Interaction for toddlers: Whenever you hear the word ‘HELLO’, show how welcoming you
are by waving and saying ‘hello’!
Interaction for babies: Parents/carers – can you wave at your baby or help them wave?
Everyone: Let’s practise now… ‘HELLO!’
1. This year, we are going on a Bible Buds adventure throughout the whole Bible!
[Bible]
2. We’re starting our adventure right at the beginning of the Bible, at the beginning of time
itself!
[Clock]
3. At the start of time, there was God, and absolutely nothing else!
[Three balls of playdough]
4. Daddy God [show ball 1], Jesus, God’s Son [show ball 2], and the Holy Spirit [show ball 3].
5. The incredible thing is that all 3 were part of 1 incredible, out of this world, super God [combine
the 3 balls into 1 heart shape], who was absolutely full of love.
Interaction for everyone: Let’s say and wave ‘HELLO’ to God!
6. God was so full of love that He decided to create the whole universe, including our world!
7. ♫ Song: (To the tune of ‘He’s got the Whole World in His Hands’ by Obie Philpot)
“He’s got the whole world in His hands [repeat x4].”
8. First, God created light, including the sun, moon and stars that light up our sky!
[Posters/models of the sun, moon and stars]
Interaction for everyone: Let’s say and wave ‘HELLO’ to the sun, moon and stars!
9. ♫ Song: (To the tune of ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ by Jane Taylor)
“Twinkle, twinkle lots of light
God’s creation – what a sight!
Moon and stars, you shine your light
[and] When it’s day the sun is bright
Twinkle, twinkle lots of light
God’s creation – what a sight!”
10. Wow! God saw His creation and it looked good [thumbs up]! Next God created the land and sea.
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Bringing God-Friendships into blossom as we share and declare His love
Session 1[Bucket of sand and a water pistol to gently squirt]
11. Wow - isn’t God clever?! God even created things to grow in the land, like trees and fruit to eat!
Interaction for toddlers: Let’s all stand up tall, pretend to be a tree and then wave a
branch to say ‘HELLO’ to the other trees!
Interaction for babies: Parents/carers – can you lift your baby up as tall as a tree?
12. Wow! God saw His creation and it looked good [thumbs up]! Next God created lots of animals to
go in the sea and on the land!
[A selection of cuddly animals]
NB: When each animal is revealed, encourage children to make animal noises and actions
Interaction for everyone: Let’s say and wave ‘HELLO’ to the animals!
13. Wow! God saw His creation and it looked good [thumbs up]! Isn’t God amazing? He had created
sooooo much, but saved His best ‘til last! [Drum roll] God created the very first man and woman!
[A male and female doll/small-world figure]
Interaction for everyone: Who here’s a boy/girl? Let’s say and wave ‘HELLO’ to each other!
14. God created every big part and little part of our bodies, and we look good [thumbs up]!
15. ♫ Song: (To the tune of ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’)
“Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes [repeat]
God made our ears and mouth and nose
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes!”
16. Wow! God was so happy with His creation, especially the man and woman, called Adam and Eve.
17. God welcomed Adam and Eve. They were friends and spent time together – isn’t that good?!
18. God even welcomed them into a special garden and let Adam and Eve water all the flowers.
[A watering can and flower]
19. The great news is that God welcomes us to be His friend too! We don’t need to feel lonely or
scared when we go to new places, because God is with us, welcoming us!
20. Just like God welcomed His new friends into the world, we can welcome new families into our
group, by saying ‘HELLO’ and spending time together, like God spent time with Adam and Eve!
Interaction for toddlers: Let’s all give God and each other a great big clap!
Interaction for babies: Parents/carers – can you help your baby clap?
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Bringing God-Friendships into blossom as we share and declare His love
Session 1Post-story Puppets: (5 mins)
1. Fetch our Bible Buds friends Bertie Badger and Betsy Bear.
Interaction for toddlers: After 3, shout “Hello” to Bertie Badger and Betsy Bear!
Interaction for babies: Parents/carers – point to Bertie Badger and Betsy Bear so your
baby can wave hello. Ready, 1,2,3… “HELLO!”
2. [Bertie waves at everyone whilst Betsy stands back.]
3. Hello Bertie Badger! You look a lot happier now – what’s happened?
4. [Bertie Badger whispers to you.] Oh, that’s great news! Bertie Badger says that he listened
to the story, and he’s not feeling shy anymore because God has welcomed Bertie to be friends
with Him! That’s great news!
5. [Bertie whispers to you.] And now you want to say a proper hello to our new friend Betsy Bear
and give her a really good welcome?! That’s a great idea Bertie!
6. [Bertie waves at Betsy. Betsy waves back, moving out from where she was hiding. They inch
closer and then give each other a big hug!]
7. Well done Betsy Bear and Bertie Badger for welcoming each other – I think you two are going
to be the best of friends!
8. [Puppets whisper together and then to you.] That sounds fun! Bertie and Betsy want to go and
spend time playing together in the garden, like God spent time with Adam and Eve in the
garden. Off you go then!
9. [Puppets race out the room together!]
Interaction for toddlers: Let’s say and wave “Goodbye” to Bertie Badger and Betsy Bear!
Interaction for babies: Parents/carers – can you help your baby wave goodbye?
10. Well Bible Buds, I think it’s time to go home [or insert here whatever is next in your session].
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Bringing God-Friendships into blossom as we share and declare His love
Session 1Bible Buds Blessing: (5-10 mins)
You will need: ‘May God’s Blessing’ song, parachute
Interaction for toddlers: Children can enjoy experimenting with a parachute.
Interaction for babies: Parents/carers – let your baby watch the parachute. Go underneath
it together and feel the wind!
It’s time to finish Bible Buds now, which means it’s time for our Bible Buds Blessing. This is a
special song where we ask God to bless you by making you feel special. Let’s all lie down
underneath the parachute and feel the wind over us, like the Holy Spirit over us, as we sing…
NB: If you are unable to use a parachute, adults could make an arch for children to walk
through as they sing and receive God’s blessing.
♫ Song: ‘May God’s Blessing’ by Chris Kipling
“May God’s blessing be upon you now
May you know of His great love for you
May God’s blessing be upon you now
Right where you are.”
NB: As the song finishes, keep waving the parachute up and down and help the children stay
calm as they lie underneath. Finish with a gentle prayer for everyone…
Hiya Daddy God, thank you for a fun time today with our mummies, daddies and carers. Thank
you for all the new and old friends we’ve said hello to today, and thank you for welcoming us into
friendship with you too. Amen!
Goodbye Bible Buds:
♫ Song: ’The Goodbye Song’
“Goodbye Bible Buds, goodbye Bible Buds
We’ve had lots of fun; we’ll see you again soon
Goodbye Bible Buds, goodbye Bible Buds
We’ve had lots of fun now it’s time to go home.”
NB: For Mission Opportunities and Home Ideas related to this session, go to the ‘Take Home
Sheets’ section.
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Bringing God-Friendships into blossom as we share and declare His love
Session 1NHS Milestones and Early Learning Goals:
This session works towards the following Craft Craft Craft Play Play Play
NHS Milestones & ELGs 1 2 3 1 2 3
New babies will enjoy looking at faces and start
to recognise their parents. (NHS milestone for
☺ ☺ ☺
1-4 weeks)
Your baby will begin to smile and respond to the
sounds around them. (NHS milestone for 4-6
☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺
weeks)
Your baby will start to reach out for objects as
their muscles develop. (NHS milestone for 3-5
☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺
months)
Your baby will learn to pass things from one
hand to the other. (NHS milestone for 6
☺ ☺
months)
Your baby is getting stronger and can now sit
without assistance. (NHS milestone for 6-8
☺
months)
Your baby is learning to become more mobile.
(NHS milestone for 6-9 months)
☺
Your baby can now let go of things or hand an
object to someone. (NHS milestone for 9-11
☺
months)
Your child may start to say words and
understand them. (NHS milestone for 12-18
☺ ☺ ☺ ☺
months)
Your child will start kicking and throwing balls.
(NHS milestone for 1½ - 2 years)
☺
Your child will know a range of single words and
talk in short sentences. (NHS milestone for 1½ -
☺ ☺ ☺
2 years)
Your child will enjoy painting or scribbling with a
crayon, paint or pencils. (NHS milestone for 1 ½
☺ ☺
- 5 years)
Your child can draw a recognisable person with a
face, and maybe arms and legs. (NHS milestone
☺ ☺
for 3-4 years)
Children show good control and co-ordination in
large movements. (ELG 04 for Physical
☺ ☺
development)
Children show good control and co-ordination in
small movements. (ELG 04 for Physical
☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺
development)
They show sensitivity to others’ needs and
feelings, and form positive relationships with
☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺
adults and other children. (ELG 08 for Personal,
Social and Emotional development)
18
Bringing God-Friendships into blossom as we share and declare His love
Session 1They recognise, create and describe patterns.
(ELG 12 for Mathematics)
☺
They explore characteristics of everyday objects
and shapes. (ELG 12 for Mathematics)
☺ ☺
They know about similarities and differences
between themselves and others, and among
☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺
families, communities and traditions. (ELG 13
for Understanding of the World)
Children know about similarities and differences
in relation to places, objects, materials and living
☺ ☺
things. (ELG 14 for Understanding of the
World)
They select and use technology for particular
purposes. (ELG 15 for Understanding of the
☺
World)
Children sing songs, make music and dance, and
experiment with ways of changing them. (ELG
☺
16 for Expressive Arts and Design)
They safely use and explore a variety of
materials, tools and techniques, experimenting
☺ ☺ ☺ ☺
with colour, design, texture, form and function.
(ELG 16 for Expressive Arts and Design)
They represent their own ideas, thoughts and
feelings through design and technology, art,
☺ ☺ ☺
music, dance, role-play and stories. (ELG 17 for
Expressive Arts and Design)
19
Bringing God-Friendships into blossom as we share and declare His love
Session 1Post-Session Testimonies:
Below is a space for you to write down any testimonies of what God has been doing in and
through your toddler group, as a result of this session. Ephesians 5:19-20 says:
“Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything”
There are always moments to thank God for, and moments to celebrate. Get into the habit of
sharing these with each other after the session and giving God the glory. (It’s always so
encouraging looking back at what God has done!)
20
Bringing God-Friendships into blossom as we share and declare His love
Session 1You can also read
